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Warner Bros. Discovery: Potential Bidders Emerge for 2026 Split

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Warner Bros. Discovery announced in a press release on Tuesday it is entertaining bidders for both the entire company and for the two separate companies that would exist following its planned split in 2026. While WBD is hoping to ignite an expensive bidding war for the company, some of its potential suitors have signaled they may not be interested.

The press release followed a Wall Street Journal report last month that Paramount made a cash offer to WBD ahead of its spin-off. The $20 per share offer was rebuffed by WBD CEO David Zaslav.

“While Warner Bros. Discovery continues to advance its previously announced separation of Warner Bros. and Discovery Global, its Board of Directors today announced it has initiated a review of strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value, in light of unsolicited interest the company has received from multiple parties for both the entire company and Warner Bros,” the release said.

PUCK previously reported WBD was hoping for a stock sale price exponentially higher than the Paramount offer.

Matthew Belloni reported last week Paramount was pushing ahead with a purchase of WBD, noted by the hiring of Makan Delrahim as its chief legal officer on Oct. 6. Delrahim served in the anti-trust division of the Department of Justice in the Bush administration in the 2000s. He became a lobbyist after, working for Comcast, UFC, Google, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Johnson and Johnson. Belloni said his hiring was to pave way for a purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery and to fight off other potential buyers and anti-trust concerns by the Department of Justice.

While leading the Department of Justice’s anti-trust division during the first Trump administration, he filed a lawsuit to stop a merger of Time Warner with AT&T, but lost in federal court. He allowed the sale of FOX to Disney.

Delrahim, in several interviews, said monopolies were only illegal if they acted in a monopolistic manner. He also held the position that mergers could lead to more competition in the market, an argument he’ll likely make to the DOJ and the Securities and Exchange Commission as Paramount tries to position itself with purchases to compete as a major streamer alongside Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Paramount immediately made overtures for WBD following its merger with Skydance, owned by Larry and David Ellison. Paramount signed a new deal with UFC for seven years and $7.7 billion shortly after the purchase, worth nearly the same price paid for Paramount.

Netflix and Amazon may sit out a potential bidding war for WBD. Netflix Co-CEO Greg Peters told Variety earlier this month that “big mergers don’t have an amazing track record,” citing other Time Warner mergers with AT&T and AOL. But CNBC reported on Tuesday that Netflix was in play for WBD, citing unnamed sources.

Amazon’s recent purchase of MGM and the Bond franchise has left it less willing to investigate a WBD buy, but Prime has expressed interest in WBD before, particularly its TNT Sports production studio. Amazon Prime’s production of NFL and MLB games has been heavily criticized since the network began airing football on Thursday nights as part of a deal with the league. After its debt-heavy acquisition of MGM, Amazon would likely be uninterested in paying billions for WBD.

Apple executive Eddy Cue said on Belloni’s podcast that the company isn’t likely or looking to make significant purchases.

Comcast, which is in the middle of its own split, would be a favored spot by Zaslav and WBD board chair John Malone due to their positioning in a new company, one source told SEScoops. A Comcast and WBD merger would only occur after Comcast finishes spinning off its cable networks under the Versant name and WBD spins off its digital assets. It would also leave Zaslav and Malone in top positions, which would be highly unlikely if Paramount purchases. Belloni reported that Zaslav and Malone would have to maneuver the WBD board if Paramount continues as a highly motivated and potentially hostile player in a bidding war. Comcast would also have to improve its heavily leveraged position – it needs more money.

Sony studios has showed interest in a WBD purchase or merger, which SEScoops reported in June. The two companies worked together before and planned a joint studio complex in Nevada, but the plan fell apart after the state legislature failed to provide tax incentives. The positioning of more heavy buyers would make a Sony purchase difficult.

WBD’s spin-off is expected to finish by mid-2026.

Tony Khan Confirms Real Reason For Adam Copeland’s AEW Absence

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AEW President Tony Khan has officially confirmed the real-world reason for Adam Copeland’s current absence from AEW programming, verifying that the star is away for filming commitments. Copeland was written off television following the AEW All Out pay-per-view on September 20, 2025.

At that event, he and his long-time partner Christian Cage were victorious in a tag team match against FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler). The celebration was cut short by a post-match assault, where FTR attacked Copeland’s wife, Beth Phoenix (Beth Copeland), leaving her laying in the ring with a spiked piledriver. In a backstage segment, an emotional Copeland stated that the rivalry had become too personal and had now affected his family, forcing him to “step away” from the company indefinitely, leaving his future in question.

While the storyline provided a dramatic reason for his exit, reports quickly surfaced from PWInsider that the write-off was planned to accommodate Copeland’s acting career. In a new interview with Z100 New York, Tony Khan confirmed this. He praised “The Rated-R Superstar” as a big part of the AEW roster and confirmed that he is currently on a planned hiatus to film the new season of the Disney+ series, “Percy Jackson & the Olympians.”

Copeland has a recurring role in the series as Ares, the God of War. Khan made it clear that Copeland is still a valued member of the AEW roster and is expected to make his return once his Hollywood obligations are fulfilled.

“Adam Copeland’s a huge part of AEW. Adam’s out filming right now. He’s a huge star in AEW. We love having Adam Copeland, The Rated-R Superstar in AEW and I’m excited for him to be back in AEW, hopefully soon after this project is done, and he’s taking care of business and then Adam will come back and we’ll get Adam Copeland taking care of the business in the ring in AEW.”

Samantha Irvin Says She Has A Two-Year Non-Compete Clause With WWE

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Samantha Irvin parted ways with WWE in October 2024, ending her time as a ring announcer on WWE TV and at PLEs. Irvin hasn’t appeared for another wrestling promotion since then, and fans shouldn’t expect that to change anytime soon.

Irvin recently reached the one-year anniversary of her decision to leave WWE. On X, Irvin shared that she has “one year left on my non-compete,” sharing that she has been dealing with a two-year clause. Irvin said she loves and misses wrestling fans and hopes to see them soon.

This non-compete clause is far longer than what typically awaits talent who leave WWE. While Irvin chose to leave, talent who are released are typically subjected to either a 30-day non-compete clause if cut from WWE NXT, or a 90-day clause if they’re cut from the main roster.

WWE parted ways with Andrade recently, and it has been reported that the former WWE Speed Champion may be blocked from performing elsewhere for a year. These examples demonstrate how WWE continues to evolve its handling of talent under TKO Group Holdings.

Many believe Irvin will join her husband Ricochet in AEW, and Irvin has already been referenced on AEW programming. Whatever the future holds for Samantha Irvin in pro wrestling, fans will have to wait at least another year to find out.

Chelsea Green Shares Update After Fairmont Hotels Staff Mistake Her For An Escort

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In 2024, WWE Superstar Chelsea Green was confronted at a Fairmont Hotel after staff mistook the inaugural United States Champion for an escort. At the time, Fairmont apologized and offered Green a free stay but cashing this in is proving easier said than done.

On X, Green shared her original post from 2024. She added that after being offered a two-night stay at any location, this offer has now been rescinded.

Green shared a message she received from Fairmont, who claimed that the offer was in-fact just for one location and not at any Fairmont establishment. The message also claimed that Green was given a year to make use of the offer and she failed to do so.

As a WWE Superstar, Green travels around the world and stays in countless hotels as part of her work. While Green has plenty of options, odds are she won’t be staying at a Fairmont hotel anytime soon.

TNA’s McKenzie Mitchell Opens Up About ‘Threads of Triumph’ Book & Mercedes Moné Writing the Foreword

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McKenzie Mitchell is always on the move with business in mind. Whether that be ring announcing for TNA, running her jewelry business Headline by MM, or even writing a coffee book. The latter, called “Threads of Triumph: Professional Wrestling’s Most Iconic Looks,” was a labor of love for the 31-year-old. It also combines her love and appreciation for what she is passionate about. For Mitchell, it’s surreal to be seeing a five-year vision realized with the project set for release next April and available for preorder now. 

It all started with an idea pitched to WWE and other avenues, but the budding author wasn’t getting any traction. Doubters weren’t quite sure what the demographic would be for something  based on pro wrestling gear. Mitchell was undeterred. 

“I actually filmed a pilot with Johnny Gargano that lives somewhere within the WWE archives for an actual episode with WWE,” she recalled. “We filmed it, and it was great. The conversation just flowed. It was amazing. Then it just never found its footing . When I was released in 2023 I was like, “what do I want to do? I put that idea to work, and ‘Threads with McKenzie Mitchell’ was born. I got a lot of love then and traction.” 

A sitdown with Natalya set the wheels in motion for what would become the book. The trailblazing former women’s champion encouraged Mitchell to pursue the concept further. This led to writing a full 30-page book proposal and securing a literary agent. “I got four offers in two weeks,” she said.

With an official offer in hand last October from publisher Chronicle Books, she got to work and began writing. Mitchell pulled out her proverbial rolodex meeting with the likes of Chris Jericho, The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, and Rhea Ripley. Despite having a busy schedule, she would find time to write. 

“It has been a lot of time and consumption of my life,” Mitchelle added. “(Husband) Vic [Joseph] and I took a cruise for my birthday in March. I was writing on the cruise. Literally, it was land, air, and sea, I have been writing this book almost in secret everywhere I am this year.”

Mitchell has been touched by the response from fans and those in the industry. Someone even said, ‘finally, a book for me.” It’s a gratifying feeling for her.  

“It’s no secret I didn’t grow up watching professional wrestling, but I always loved the fashion side of professional wrestling,” she said. “That the wrestlers would wear and present themselves to an audience and that connection from a fan to a wrestler. A lot of times fans look at professional wrestlers and say, ‘I love this person,’ but they don’t know why they connect to them. This book really connects those dots. It comes from them wearing something and telling a story with it without them speaking at all.” 

The book chronicles the evolution from the 1940s as professional wrestling entered television’s golden era into the colorful decades that followed. From Ric Flair and “Macho Man” Randy Savage to Chyna and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to Rey Mysterio and Bianca Belair, it’s a nostalgic trip down memory lane in a way never really done before. 

“Gorgeous George was doing all these ideas. He was implementing these ideas that were so out-of-the-box and out of character and out of the norm at that timeframe,” Mitchell explained. “You’re able to take what he did and implement and see that in the Ric Flair’s and see that in the Charlotte Flair’s and see that within all these people that are making this path if you will that started back in the 1940s with Gorgeous George. 

“It’s a story to be told, how we evolve as people, how fashion has evolved over time. But fashion in the sport of professional wrestling and pop culture. How these athletes and celebrity figures were doing things over time that stood out and were different and now we’re able to celebrate that path and honor what they did and we’re still able to see these moments laced if you will into the threads of the current professional wrestlers you’re seeing today in WWE, AEW, TNA, and all the major promotions. It started somewhere. It started back in the day.”

When it came to who should contribute the foreword, Mitchell knew she wanted a female voice to bring that unique perspective. After time and care went into choosing a name she slid into the DMs of Mercedes Moné.She was connected to Moné’s agent. Mitchell described the process as a seamless moment with a foreword sent to her within a week. The AEW TBS Champion was honored to have the opportunity. By the same token, having a marquee name certainly adds more bankability to the project. 

“She has had such an amazing career in her own right going back to Sasha Banks and all that she has done in AEW and her time in Japan and the anime she brings to life as well,” Mitchell explained. “She is very true to who she is, and you are able to see that come across her character in any way she is presenting herself. I wanted this person to make sense for ‘Threads.’”

MVP Reveals The Biggest Mistake Young Wrestlers Make In The Ring

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MVP recently shared his philosophy on mentoring the younger generation of wrestlers. Speaking on his “Marking Out” podcast, MVP discussed the specific advice he gives to talent regarding match structure and psychology, noting that his critiques are always intended to help them improve.

He thinks that a common issue he sees is the overuse of false finishes, which can diminish the crowd’s reaction and hurt the overall quality of a match. During the podcast, MVP explained his reasoning for telling younger talent to “slow it down” and cut certain spots from their matches.

“If I’m telling you to slow it down and cut some of that stuff out, it’s not because I don’t want you to have a good match — it’s because I want you to have a better match. And I think I’ve talked about this before, but there are a few of the younger guys in AEW where I’ve told them, ‘Hey, everything was great, but you had too many false finishes. You didn’t need all those false finishes.’ You can hear it — because the first false finish, oh! The second false finish, oh! The third false finish, oh! And that fourth false finish, oh. [not as intense] You had them. It takes a while to get that experience — to know when to say, ‘No, take it home now. They’re not going to get any higher than this. Let’s go.’ That other stuff we had figured in? Cut it. Take it home.”

He specifically named one of AEW’s brightest young stars, Kyle Fletcher, as someone who was receptive to this exact critique.

“I may have talked about this before, but it’s definitely something that comes with experience. And if I’m telling you that, it’s not because I don’t want you to have the greatest match — it’s because I want you to. And you can hear it from the audience. There have been times when I’ve talked to, uh, like Kyle Fletcher, and we talked about it one time. He said, ‘Yeah, you’re right. I heard it. I got it.’ You know, don’t work against yourself.”

Tony Khan On Britt Baker: “She’s Still Very Much With Us”

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AEW President Tony Khan has addressed the status of former AEW Women’s World Champion Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D., confirming that she is still with the company and that he hopes to see her return to television “hopefully soon.” Baker has been on a long-term, unexplained hiatus from AEW programming, with her last television appearance taking place in November 2024.

Her prolonged absence, coupled with her removal of AEW mentions from her social media profiles in March 2025, has led to rampant speculation among fans about her future and a potential move to WWE. Speaking in a new interview with Z100 New York, Tony Khan was asked about the former champion and was quick to praise her contributions to the company, making it clear that she is still a part of the AEW family.

“What a great star in AEW Dr Britt Baker has been. She is still a fantastic, fantastic wrestling star. She’s been away from AEW for a while, but still very much with us, and at some point hopefully soon, I’d love to see Dr Britt Baker come back.”

Baker’s last match on AEW television was on the November 13, 2024, episode of Dynamite. Reports have indicated that her current contract with AEW runs until at least the fall of 2026, with the company potentially having the option to add more time to the deal due to her inactivity.

The Good Brothers Set for MLW Debut November 20 in Charleston

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Major League Wrestling has announced that legendary tag team The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows) will make their MLW debut at the MLW x Don Gato Tequila Live Special on November 20 at Charleston Music Hall/Thunder Studios Arena in Charleston, South Carolina.

The event will air live on the MLW YouTube channel and beIN SPORTS, with tickets starting at $15 at Ticketmaster.

The announcement follows a video released by Anderson and Gallows recounting a night of partying and chaos with Don Gato, culminating in the question: “Why don’t we do it again in Charleston?” MLW President Cesar Duran and Don Gato approved, making the debut official.

Their opponents for the debut match have not yet been announced.

Anderson and Gallows are three-time IWGP Tag Team Champions and World Tag League tournament winners. Anderson reached the finals of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s prestigious G1 Climax tournament. The duo also hosts the Talk’n Shop podcast, which originated on the MLW Radio Network.

The November 20 event marks the first professional wrestling show in downtown Charleston in 32 years. The card also features Killer Kross with Scarlett, Matt Riddle, Shotzi, Mistico, MLW World Heavyweight Champion Mads Krule Krugger, Donovan Dijak, Arn Anderson, and others.

The show begins at 7:30 PM ET, with pre-show meet and greets scheduled from 6:00-6:30 PM.

For more formation, visit Major League Wrestling’s official website at MLW.com.

Louvre Heist Dethrones Seth Rollins’ WrestleMania 31 Cash-In as “Heist of the Century”

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In the grand arena of audacity, the Louvre’s jewel thieves have now claimed the top spot, bumping Seth Rollins off his long-held throne as the mastermind behind “The Heist of the Century.”

For nearly a decade, Rollins proudly wore that crown, cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase at WrestleMania 31 to snatch the WWE World Heavyweight Championship right from under Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns’ noses. But this weekend, a crew in Paris pulled off a caper so slick that even Mr. Monday Night Messiah himself might be taking notes.

According to French officials, Sunday’s Louvre robbery was a four-minute sprint of chaos and precision. Masked thieves posing as construction workers rolled up with a basket lift, sliced through a window with gas-powered tools, smashed display cases, and vanished down the Seine with Napoleonic jewels before most visitors had finished their morning espresso. No ref bump required, no run-ins from J&J Security. Just pure tactical execution with a getaway plan that would make Danny Ocean blush.

To put it in wrestling terms, these culprits executed the perfect “cash-in.” The Louvre hadn’t even rung the opening bell when the challengers hit the gallery, blindsided security, and left as undisputed champions of larceny. Witnesses described the thieves as “calm, professional,” which in pro wrestling psychology means they no-sold the chaos and walked out with heat hotter than Rollins’ 2015 pyro.

Rollins’ heist changed wrestling history, but even he will have to figure out the four-minute spectacle that will be analyzed for years to come.

What a WBD Sale Could Mean for AEW and WWE

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Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is actively considering strategic alternatives, including a possible sale, following significant and widespread acquisition interest from major media conglomerates as its stock price jumped 9% in Tuesday morning trading. Paramount Skydance has emerged as a prominent bidder, and this development poses immediate uncertainty for All Elite Wrestling (AEW), WBD’s signature wrestling partner whose TV and streaming deals run through 2028.

WBD’s Sale Exploration and Industry Impact

WBD’s announcement of a strategic review—including evaluating sale offers—is a response to the fast-changing media landscape and repeated unsolicited interest from other companies, most notably Paramount Skydance. The proposed split of WBD into “Streaming & Studios” and “Global Networks” by mid-2026 is designed to improve clarity for investors and unlock asset value for potential buyers. Paramount Skydance, having a recent multi-billion dollar partnership with TKO’s UFC (WWE’s parent company), is widely believed to be the frontrunner.

What Does This Mean for AEW?

AEW relies on WBD networks (TBS, TNT, and Max) for national TV exposure and pay-per-view streaming, with media rights secured until 2028. If Paramount Skydance acquires WBD, AEW’s future on those platforms comes into question. Paramount’s close relationship with TKO (owner of WWE and UFC) could create a conflict of interest, possibly deprioritizing or even phasing out AEW content to favor TKO’s brands. The risk is compounded by the uncertainty about new executive priorities, programming strategies, and potential exclusivity agreements for combat sports with TKO.

Looming TKO Threat: Concerns and Outcomes

The possibility of a buyer strongly allied with WWE/TKO looms large for AEW. While industry experts note that personnel changes and buyouts frequently create disruption, they also believe AEW will be judged on its viewership and profitability; “Dynamite” consistently ranks among the top cable programs on TBS and HBO Max. Regardless, the prospect of TKO-affiliated ownership could restrict AEW’s visibility or even force renegotiation of its valuable television and streaming rights—putting AEW’s business model and fanbase reach at considerable risk over the next several years.

What Tony Khan Has Said About AEW-WBD

Tony Khan has recently told Yahoo! Finance that AEW maintains “great relationships with everybody at the top” of Warner Bros. Discovery, including both sides of the company’s planned split into Streaming & Studios and Global Networks. He emphasized that AEW’s existing media rights deal, which runs through 2028, was personally negotiated with senior leaders David Zaslav (CEO) and Gunnar Wiedenfels (CFO).

Khan reassured fans and media that both divisions remain enthusiastic partners, highlighting AEW’s strong presence across TBS/TNT and the growing success of AEW Dynamite’s simulcast on Max streaming.

?The Bottom Line

WBD’s sale saga is developing rapidly, and AEW’s leadership will be closely watching for any signs of shifting priorities or reduced commitment from their media partner. The fate of AEW programming, and potentially the competitive dynamics between AEW and WWE, will hinge on who ultimately acquires WBD and how they structure combat sports content.?

Backstage News On Austin Theory’s WWE Status After Seth Rollins Injury

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An update has emerged on the WWE status of Austin Theory, whose planned creative direction was thrown into chaos following the legitimate shoulder injury to World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. A new report from WrestleVotes indicates that despite the major storyline shuffle, there are still “voices within the company pushing” to keep Theory involved in significant creative plans.

Theory has been off WWE television since July after suffering an injury that led to the dissolution of his tag team, A-Town Down Under. He was widely expected to return as a babyface to feud with his former partner, Grayson Waller.

The situation became more complex when recent reports indicated that Theory was slated to be a part of The Vision faction alongside Rollins, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Brock Lesnar for a major WarGames match at Survivor Series. However, those plans were completely overhauled last week when Rollins’s injury forced creative to turn Breakker and Reed heel, having them attack Rollins and align with Paul Heyman. This left Theory’s potential role in the group in question.

According to the new report, Theory “still has internal support moving forward to reappear on TV in a significant manner,” and the idea of him joining The Vision “was at least discussed.” While the original WarGames plans are now impossible, the continued support for Theory suggests that creative is still working on a new direction for his return to television.

Sheamus Launches His ‘Never Retiring’ Tour After WWE Raw

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John Cena’s in-ring retirement is looming, while fellow ex-WWE Champion AJ Styles will retire at some time in 2026. While some of wrestling’s top stars are planning their goodbyes, Sheamus doesn’t have any plans for a farewell just yet.

On the October 20, episode of WWE Raw, Sheamus was part of a battle royal to decide who would challenge for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship at Saturday Night’s Main Event. While Sheamus came up short in the match won by Jey Uso, he declared that the bout launched the start of his “Never f***ing retiring” tour.

While Sheamus has no plans to retire, he has considered hanging up his boots for good in the past. In 2020, Sheamus shared that he considered retiring during a hiatus from WWE programming. A concussion had left Sheamus considering ending his career before he decided against it.

In 2022, Sheamus addressed his in-ring future, sharing that “I feel like I have got at least another 8 years in me.” This timeline would put Sheamus’ retirement in 2030 at the very earliest, five years from now.

Sheamus is one of WWE’s most decorated stars, though an Intercontinental Title reign continues to elude the Celtic Warrior. Even at 47 years old, the former World Champion has no plans to step away.

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John Cena Makes Surprise Appearance At WWE Performance Center

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The end of John Cena’s in-ring career is in sight, and the WWE GOAT recently made a visit to the promotion’s Performance Center in Florida. On X, WWE NXT Superstars Blake Monroe and Izzi Dame shared photos with the ‘Never-Seen Seventeen.’

John’s appearance saw him give advice about the wrestling business, according to Dame. As one of the most successful professional wrestlers in history, the NXT roster is wise to pick the brain of John Cena.

John’s in-ring career will end this December at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event. Despite rumors and speculation, John has vowed that this will indeed be his last match and that fans shouldn’t expect any in-ring surprises after the show. Before Saturday Night’s Main Event, John is expected to compete at Survivor Series, where it has been reported that an Intercontinental Title match against Dominik Mysterio could happen.

Whatever advice Cena gave at the PC, the Superstars of WWE NXT would be wise to take it on board. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on John Cena and his farewell tour.

Mickie James On WWE Return: I’ve Achieved All Of My Goals

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Mickie James was part of WWE’s roster for years, where she held numerous titles during her tenure as a Superstar. Now, Mickie isn’t counting out a return to WWE action, but believes she has already done all she set out to do in pro wrestling.

Appearing on Busted Open Radio, James was asked about one more run with WWE. The newly-inducted TNA Wrestling Hall of Famer recalled a conversation with a friend, in which she was confident she could hang with today’s crop of female Superstars.

“I was having a conversation with someone, and they were like, ‘Oh, could you do one more run?’ And I was like, ‘Hell yeah, I could do one more run. I got it in me, you know?’

While James has it in her to have another run with WWE, she feels that she would have nothing left to prove. James reflected on her career which has seen her do everything she set out to do.

I’ve been really blessed. I think I set out and achieved all my goals.’ I don’t really have anything else to prove. I think I’ve proved everything that I could prove.

James has certainly had a career most women could only dream of, from WrestleMania victories to title wins, to Hall of Fame inductions. Though fans know to ‘never say never’ to a return, James isn’t itching for a return to prove anything about her career.

Nikki Bella Returns On WWE Raw, Aligns With Stephanie Vaquer

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WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella made a return during the October 20 episode of WWE Raw, and aligned herself with the top woman of the red brand. During the show, Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer defeated Roxanne Perez. After the match, Perez and Raquel Rodriguez attacked Vaquer.

Nikki Bella then emerged and helped Vaquer fight off the Judgment Day duo. Vaquer and Nikki would nd the segment standing tall and hugged in the ring. Backstage, Nikki said that she wasn’t going to let Perez and Raquel jump Vaquer, calling them sore losers.

While Nikki and Vaquer seemed friendly during Raw, fans online don’t believe this alliance will last. On X, several fans suggested that this is building to a Nikki heel turn and a shot at Vaquer’s Women’s World Championship. Some pointed out how in 2018, Nikki was friendly with then-Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey before turning on her, setting up a title match at that year’s WWE Evolution.

Nikki’s most recent match came in September 2025, when she faced Asuka on Monday Night Raw. Time will tell what’s next for Nikki, but the Hall of Famer certainly looked impressive during her return.

CM Punk Vs. Jey Uso Set For Vacant World Heavyweight Title At SNME

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Seth Rollins’ time as WWE World Heavyweight Champion has come to an end without the Architect being pinned or submitted for the gold. During the October 20, WWE Raw, Adam Pearce stripped Rollins of the title due to a serious shoulder injury. Pearce went on to reveal that Rollins will be on the shelf for “quite a while” after recent surgery.

Pearce was interrupted by The Vision, now consisting of Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Paul Heyman. Breakker was in possession of the World Heavyweight Championship, but Pearce was given the title after he said please.

A new World Heavyweight Champion will be crowned at Saturday Night’s Main Event in November. Pearce announced a battle royal that would determine who would challenge CM Punk at the event. Punk won a title opportunity that had originally been set for a match with Rollins before this injury.

WWE Raw’s main event saw Jey Uso win the battle royal and the show ended with Jey and Punk having a face-off. Both men have held the World Heavyweight Championship in 2025. Jey won the gold at WrestleMania 41 while Punk had a brief reign at SummerSlam 2025.

Time will tell who is next to hold the World Heavyweight Championship. As for Seth Rollins, the Architect won’t be in the ring anytime soon.

AJ Styles And Dragon Lee Win WWE World Tag Team Titles

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On a night that saw the World Heavyweight Championship vacated due to injury, a championship change also took place on the October 20 episode of WWE Monday Night Raw. The new team of AJ Styles and Dragon Lee defeated The Judgment Day’s Finn Balor and JD McDonagh to capture the World Tag Team Championships.

The victory marks a significant milestone for both men. For Styles, it is his second tag team championship reign in WWE, while for Dragon Lee, it is his first taste of championship gold on the main roster. The title change brings an end to the reign of Balor and McDonagh, which began in June.

The championship match was only the second title defense for The Judgment Day members in over three months. Their previous defense was a successful one against the LWO’s Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro back in July. Tonight in Sacramento, their reign came to an end at the hands of the veteran Styles, who is in the midst of his retirement tour, and the rising star Dragon Lee.

This championship win is a big moment for Styles as he winds down his legendary in-ring career, which he has stated will conclude in 2026. For Dragon Lee, this is his first title win on the main roster and his first-ever tag team championship in WWE.

Absent WWE Star Returns On Raw

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Otis has made his return to WWE Monday Night Raw. The Alpha Academy powerhouse appeared on the October 20 episode of the show, marking his first time on the red brand in five months. The show, which emanated from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, saw Otis accompany his stablemate Maxxine Dupri to the ring for her Women’s Intercontinental Championship match against Becky Lynch.

Otis was also joined by fellow Alpha Academy member Akira Tozawa, showing the group’s full support for Dupri in her hometown championship opportunity. Otis has been absent from Raw since May, when he was brutally attacked by the returning Rusev in a singles match. That assault was used as the storyline reason to write him off of television, as he was dealing with a legitimate elbow injury that required arthroscopic surgery.

He recently made his in-ring return to the company, competing in non-televised matches for WWE Main Event over the past few weeks, including a match against Grayson Waller during the international tour in Australia. He also made a surprise appearance for the WWE-acquired AAA promotion at their TripleMania event in August. However, tonight’s appearance is his first official time back on the main Monday night show.

While Otis’s return was a positive note for the Alpha Academy, the night was a momentous one for the rest of the brand. The show began with Raw General Manager Adam Pearce officially stripping Seth Rollins of the World Heavyweight Championship due to the severe shoulder injury he sustained at Super Show-Down. A battle royal would be held later in the night to determine who would face the number one contender, CM Punk, for the vacant championship at the upcoming Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Brock & CW Anderson Open Up About Their MLW Tag Team Roots

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It’s old school meets new school whenever CW Anderson and Brock Anderson team up in an MLW ring. The cross-generational duo have formed an unbreakable bond working through the ranks toward the top of the tag division. Brock, the son of Hall of Famer Arn Anderson, looks to soak up all of the more than 30 years of knowledge CW brings to every match.

For CW, an ECW alum and MLW original, it’s a chance to show that after all this time he could still battle with the best of them. The veteran looks back at feuding with the likes of Terry Funk, “Dr. Death” Steve Williams, Dusty Rhodes, and Jerry Lawler. Now he marvels at the talents of MLW Champion Mads Krügger, Alex Kane, Matthew Justice, and others. “These guys are way more athletic and possess more power and punishment as you can tell by what they’ve been putting on Brock and ,” he said. 

Brock has been grateful to sit under the learning tree of those more experienced than him. MLW afforded him the opportunity to truly hone his skills. 

“When I left AEW, the first thing I wanted to do was actually learn this business. I didn’t think I could do it over there because they didn’ t have the setup for it. It has been documented. It is what it is,” Brock said, candidly. “I thought if I stayed there I wouldn’t really learn in the short-term or long-term. Me and CW had a six-man, I think a couple months before I was done, with his partner PQ [Preston Quinn]. I just learned so much with that 10 minutes we were in the ring.” 

CW could feel the chemistry as well. So much so he sent a text to the youngster asking, “what do you think about tagging together?” Brock loved the idea. 

“It would make too much sense, just even from the Anderson standpoint,” he recalled. “People could gravitate toward that and understand that. For me personally, it’s an opportunity to learn from a guy who has been in this business for 30 years. I would be a fool to turn that down. It has been the best thing in my development so far, hands on done. I’ve learned something every time I’m around him, inside or outside the ring. Just even our conversations in the hotel room, at the hotel, driving to a show. He is a wealth of knowledge. I’m very blessed to have him as a tag partner.” 

CW’s love and motivation for professional wrestling was renewed thanks to working with Brock. It gave him a new purpose. 

“If you’ve been in this business long enough, you will learn to dislike it because there are so many pitfalls and downfalls. One instance was right before ECW folded, I was getting a contract and promised a television belt and told my career was getting ready to skyrocket,” CW said. “I’ve always been about leaving this business better than I found it. Tagging with Brock, from the first time I saw him and his mannerisms, the moves, he has got a lot from his dad. He looks like his dad with his mannerisms and moves. 

“I always told him from the beginning, don’t walk in your dad’s shoes, walk in your own because you’re going to get compared to that. I just love being able to teach him, and he is a quick learner. From promos to skills, everything has been 180 degrees from when we started tagging almost two years ago. The sky is the limit with Brock. I don’t know how much longer I‘m going to be doing this, but when I do walk away, I want him one hundred percent ready to take the torch as an Anderson and carry it into the next generation after that. So far, he is able to do that and is getting better every day.” 

For the former member of the Extreme Horsemen and now Rogue Horsemen, the tandem is a throwback to the days of the Minnesota Wrecking Crew. CW would be the Ole Anderson in this scenario. Although CW is quick to say he doesn’t have nearly the “pissed off attitude.” CW is also happy to take in feedback from Brock’s pops Arn. 

“There was one time Brock and I were tagging and his dad twisted something in our match and made it a hundred times better,” he said. “In 30 years, I looked at Brock and said, ‘I don’t know anything about wrestling.’ All these years and experience and his dad fixed something in our matches. That’s where I’m trying to get to at 31 years.” 

Brock is excited for the future as MLW secures more business deals. He looks forward to what’s to come with the company building more momentum. 

“When we go to work, we’re focused on the match at hand. However, you hear whispers of a TV deal. We just signed a bunch of autograph labels for Panini. We got a card deal coming though, which is huge,” Brock explained. “Anyone who grew up a baseball fan who had baseball cards knows about Panini. So, that’s a huge deal. You have all the relationships, New-Japan, and CMLL. The business is on the rise. You’re seeing all these familiar faces coming into the locker room and you’re saying, ‘Wait a minute, competition is getting a little bit stiffer around here. We have to up our game.’ Competition is good for everyone from every walk of life. Not just pro wrestling.” 

The two are coming off the brutal House of Horrors match at Slaughterhouse on October 14. Although things didn’t work out the way they’d like, it’s on to the next show Symphony of Horrors on October 25 at 10 p.m. ET on beIN Sports and YouTube. The special will feature Brock issuing a challenge. 

“If you watch the match when we were in the cage [at Slaughterhouse], someone in this discussion got rattled a bit,” Brock teased. “They almost had their life taken from them. That didn’t sit right with me. A wrestling match is a wrestling match, but someone in particular took it to a whole other level. I’m going to make it worth my while to let him know you don’ t mess around with family.” 

From there, MLW returns to Horsemen country and Charleston, South Carolina for MLW X Don Gato Equila: Lucha de Los Muertos. The Andersons look forward to a good homecoming. 

“It’s good we’re running South Carolina because we’re running in the South again,” CW said. “ This is where we thrive. This is where NWA, where I think the best professional wrestling was, was the NWA era. You’ll get to see the Andersons thrive in Charleston, South Carolina because that’s our home, that’s our backyard..” 

As for the future, more than three decades in his career, CW shows no sign of stopping any time soon. Although he does have a vision for what he’d like that retirement match to be when that moment comes. 

“If I could pull it off with Brock as my partner against Tommy Dreamer and Steve Corino,” CW revealed. “Tommy has been my most hated and loved villain of my wrestling career. I call him a villain. Steve Corino has been my best friend for 30 years. That would be the one I would be able to take my boots off and call it a career if I could have that match.”

Cody Rhodes: WWE Doesn’t Hit Record Gates With Me As A Heel

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Cody Rhodes has been a clean-cut babyface since returning to WWE in 2022, and fans shouldn’t expect that to change anytime soon. On X, a fan recently shared a clip of Rhodes as a heel during his brief tenure with Impact Wrestling. The fan acknowledged that Rhodes was “a d**k” back then, but said that he’d be happy for a turn now.

This caught the attention of Rhodes, who argued that people think this heel promo is much better than it was. Rhodes added that him as a heel doesn’t give WWE its “3 biggest gates of all time,” citing recent WrestleManias. While Rhodes has no intention of turning heel, he said his role as a villain in Impact was “a fun step on the journey.”

While Rhodes has no plans on turning heel, the idea has been teased on occasion. Earlier this year, The Rock wanted Rhodes to be his champion, as well as his ‘soul.’ Behind the scenes, WWE’s Final Boss reportedly pushed for a Rhodes heel turn. The idea was rejected, with those in WWE believing that turning a naturally over babyface in Rhodes would be a bad idea.

Cody Rhodes was a heel for much of his first run with WWE but is ready to be a hero to fans of all ages. While some hope for the Cody Rhodes seen in that clip from Impact Wrestling, Rhodes is fine with leaving that step behind him in his journey.

Blake Monroe: My WWE Persona “Is Continuing To Evolve From The Things I’ve Already Done”

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Blake Monroe, a former AEW Women’s World Champion, has clearly outlined her perspective on the transition from her time as Mariah May in AEW to her current run as “The Glamour” in WWE NXT, dismissing the idea of a complete character overhaul. Speaking to TV Insider, Monroe noted that the foundation of her character remains intact, with her time in WWE being a natural progression of her wrestling journey.

Monroe views her current work in WWE NXT not as discarding her past, but as building upon it. “Blake Monroe is continuing to evolve from the things I’ve already done,” she said. “It’s not different. It’s not wiping something clean and starting again. It’s taking these parts of me and growing them and nurturing them”. The English star made a name for herself in AEW before signing with WWE in June 2025.

The initial presentation of her character focused heavily on the “Glamour” aspect, which played on a pop star-like vanity. Monroe described this first phase of her character, saying, “As you saw my introduction was ‘The Glamour’ and was very big on that whole pop star vibe with my entrance and the vanity and all these incredible things. We’ve been able to evolve the character”. This initial presentation was well-received by fans, who saw her debut as a major addition to the brand.

However, the character took a turn toward a more unhinged persona during her recent feud with Jordynne Grace. This culminated in a Weaponized Steel Cage match at the WWE Premium Live Event, Deadline. Monroe indicated that this shift was a deliberate choice to add depth to her character. She explained, “Then you saw me at Deadline in the steel cage match. You saw a different side of me. Someone who was a bit merciless and a bit unhinged. I think it has been so exciting to evolve something”. Monroe ended up losing the intense cage match to Grace, evening the score in their rivalry after Monroe won their initial singles match at WWE Heatwave.

Monroe expressed pride in her career path and is embracing her new opportunity with WWE. “I’m really proud of my journey, and this is the next chapter. I’m loving just getting so detailed with it,” she noted. She also gave credit to the creative environment in WWE, stating, “The creative team is so passionate about every part of what you do. I’m having a ball because I love those details and that presentation”. Ultimately, she sees the progression as organic, not a forced change. “I wouldn’t say there is too much difference. I would say it’s more of an evolution,” Monroe ended.

Mercedes Moné Championship Tracker: Complete List of the CEO’s 12 Titles

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Mercedes Moné has redefined what it means to be a champion in professional wrestling, and her prizes speak for themselves. The self-proclaimed “CEO” isn’t just talking when she calls herself the best in the world — she’s backing it up with an unprecedented collection of gold that spans three continents. From her AEW TBS Championship reign — now the longest in the title’s history — to capturing prestigious belts across Mexico, Europe, and Canada, Moné has been on an unstoppable run that shows no signs of slowing down.

Mercedes surpassed Último Dragón’s iconic 10-title record when she captured her 11th championship at AEW WrestleDream 2025, defeating Mina Shirakawa for the Interim ROH Women’s World Television Title. She then broke her own record less than 24 hours later in Winnipeg, Canada, by defeating Jody Threat to win the Winnipeg Pro Wrestling Women’s Championship. Moné has since dubbed herself “12 Belts Moné” and has publicly teased chasing the AEW Women’s World Championship next.

Whether she’s defending her crown in Tokyo, Mexico City, Vienna, or anywhere in between, Mercedes Moné continues to prove why she’s the most dominant force in women’s wrestling today.

This tracker documents every championship conquest along the way. Below is the updated Mercedes Moné Championship Tracker with an added column listing who she defeated for each title. All data is current as of October 20, 2025.

ChampionshipPromotionDate WonEvent/LocationOpponent Defeated
AEW TBS ChampionshipAll Elite WrestlingMay 7, 2024AEW Dynamite, Las Vegas, NVKris Statlander
CMLL World Women’s ChampionshipConsejo Mundial de Lucha LibreAugust 4, 2024CMLL Viernes Espectacular, Arena MéxicoPrincesa Sugehit
RevPro Undisputed British Women’s & Queen of Southside ChampionshipRevolution Pro WrestlingJanuary 5, 2025NJPW x AEW Wrestle Dynasty, Tokyo DomeAlex Windsor
EWA Women’s ChampionshipEuropean Wrestling AssociationFebruary 11, 2025EWA Event, Vienna, AustriaMia Yim
Chaotic Wrestling Women’s ChampionshipChaotic WrestlingMarch 2, 2025Chaotic Live, Lowell, MAParis Van Dale
Prime Time Wrestling Women’s ChampionshipPrime Time WrestlingApril 6, 2025PTW Live, Warsaw, PolandKamille
BestYa Women’s ChampionshipBestYa WrestlingApril 20, 2025BestYa Hamburg, GermanyIva Kolasky
Discovery Wrestling Scottish Women’s ChampionshipDiscovery WrestlingMay 2025Discovery Live, Edinburgh, ScotlandKasey Owens
BODYSLAM Women’s ChampionshipBODYSLAM! Pro WrestlingOctober 2025BODYSLAM Live, Copenhagen, DenmarkRegina Rosendahl
AEW Owen Hart Cup (Women’s Tournament Winner)All Elite WrestlingJuly 27, 2024AEW Collision, Calgary, ABJamie Hayter
Interim ROH Women’s World Television ChampionshipRing of Honor (AEW)October 18, 2025AEW WrestleDream, St. Louis, MOMina Shirakawa
Winnipeg Pro Wrestling Women’s ChampionshipWinnipeg Pro WrestlingOctober 19, 2025Rumble in the Burt, Winnipeg, MBJody Threat

As Mercedes Moné continues her historic championship reigns across the global wrestling scene, this tracker will remain updated in real time. Whether she’s adding more gold or facing challengers determined to dethrone “The CEO,” SEScoops will have every update covered.

Released Star Claims CM Punk’s WWE Return Canceled Main Roster Call-Up Plans

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The shocking return of CM Punk to WWE at Survivor Series 2023 was a monumental moment for the company, but it also reportedly caused significant creative plans to be scrapped. According to Wolfgang of the NXT faction Gallus, his group was scheduled to be called up to the main roster and was slated for a storyline with Drew McIntyre, but those plans were abruptly canceled when CM Punk returned.

Speaking on the “Mic Check with Mr. Anderson” podcast, Wolfgang revealed that Gallus was on the verge of their main roster debut, only to have the plans repeatedly delayed.

“We were ready for main roster, even when we got to NXT, it was good to get there and get involved but we were ready to go at the drop of a hat to main roster. And I know for a fact that we were scheduled to be there. We were like three weeks out, and then three weeks came and they said ‘it’s actually like three months’ and the phrase they used was the ‘can keeps getting kicked down the road’.”

Wolfgang also provided evidence for his claim, noting that Gallus was the only NXT act featured in the official event programs for major main roster shows, and they were positioned next to Drew McIntyre.

“If you go look at the 2023 Survivor Series program for the main roster, or the 2024 Royal Rumble, there’s no one else in NXT in that, except for Gallus. And we’re right next to a full page spread of Drew McIntyre.”

He then stated that he believes CM Punk’s return at that same Survivor Series event was the direct cause for the plans being changed, as the company’s creative focus immediately shifted.

“So I think there was a plan for us to join Drew McIntyre at some point, and then CM Punk showed up and the can kept getting kicked down the road and they didn’t need us anymore. And I think they got stuck. ‘This is what we’re doing, we’ll get to it at some point’. They never even considered how else we’re going to do it.”

Billy Gunn Reveals His “Biggest Fear” About Wrestling At 61

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AEW star and WWE Hall of Famer Billy Gunn continues to wrestle at the age of 61. Although he hasn’t competed in an AEW ring since May 2024, he remains active on the independent circuit and as a backstage coach for AEW. In a recent interview, Gunn addressed his current in-ring philosophy, his main fear about competing, and his pickiness regarding his opponents.

Speaking on the “Fuel & Flex” podcast, Gunn revealed that his primary concern when he steps in the ring isn’t the match itself, but the risk of an injury preventing him from his true passion: training at the gym.

“My biggest fear is that when I wrestle now, what I have to get past is, ‘God I hope I don’t get hurt, I won’t be able to train.’ That’s like the number one thing that gets in my head, is like, ‘Okay, I don’t wanna do a bunch of this because if I get hurt or something tweaks, then I won’t be able to go to the gym and lift, and if I can’t do that, I will lose my mind.’”

Gunn acknowledged that after a 35-year career, he is feeling the effects of his famous “Fame-Asser” finishing move on his hips. He now views his role in the ring as serving a “nostalgia purpose” for fans who grew up watching him and now want to share that experience with their own children.

“I still pretty much do everything that I do. I never really did a lot. Now, when I get in the ring, it’s more for nostalgia purposes, for people to see – it’s more for parents that have kids that go, ‘Hey, this is the guy I grew up on, and I can still see him live.’”

Because of his age and his desire to stay healthy for the gym, Gunn admitted he has become very selective about his opponents, expressing a lack of trust in younger, inexperienced talent who want to try dangerous moves.

“I don’t do a bunch of stuff. I don’t not work, but I’m very particular of who I work with, because nowadays people just go to wrestling school and think that they’re John Cena for some reason. They think they’re that good. And all of a sudden they say, ‘Hey I’m gonna do this,’ and I go, ‘You ain’t doing that to me. I’m not trusting you to turn me upside down and hope that you can hold me when you’re 100 pounds soaking wet. That’s insane. I don’t even know why you thought that’s a thing.’ I stay away from just doing crazy things that I don’t need to do.”

WWE Raw Preview: 3 Title Matches, Heyman, Breakker & Reed, Rollins’ Fate

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Tonight’s WWE Raw (October 20, 2025) emanates live from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, featuring three championship matches and major storyline fallout from last week’s betrayal of Seth Rollins by The Vision. The show begins at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT and streams live on Netflix.? Raw keeps the hype train rolling for WWE’s next premium live event, Saturday Night’s Main Event on November 1.

In just a matter of hours, General Manager Adam Pearce will address Seth Rollins’ medical condition and championship status following his injury at Crown Jewel.? Rollins was left for dead by The Vision last week and is expected to undergo shoulder surgery soon, making the title being vacated a matter of ‘when,’ not ‘if.’

Matches and Appearances

Wrestling fans will see the following tonight on Raw:

  • Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Paul Heyman are set to speak for the first time since turning on Rollins last week. Is this the new incarnation of The Vision, or something else entirely?
  • Maxxine Dupri challenges Becky Lynch in her hometown for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
  • Dominik Mysterio defends the Intercontinental championship against Rusev.
  • Finn Bálor & JD McDonagh of The Judgment Day put their WWE World Tag Team Championships on the line against the duo of AJ Styles & Dragon.
  • Stephanie Vaquer vs. Roxanne Perez

Plus, CM Punk, Rhea Ripley, Jey Uso, and Penta are all advertised to appear, continuing several ongoing rivalries ahead of November’s Saturday Night’s Main Event.